A Project of Southside United Neighborhoods (SUN)
Over 130 community partners came together to provide insight into the One South initiative.
For more than four decades, neighborhood organizations in Minneapolis have sought to strengthen our communities by understanding collective needs, managing programs that provide a range of resources, advocating for areas of opportunity or concern, and bringing together tens of thousands of folks each year for connection, conversation, and beloved events.
The impact of this collective effort has been invaluable, although not always sustainable. The impact of this work is worth finding a path forward - a path that increases the efficiency, effectiveness, and sustainability of these endeavors in the support of community wellbeing for the next decade and more!
THE BIG IDEA
Ignite new forms of collaboration among neighborhood organizations in South Minneapolis that allows resident-centered community building to thrive, through effective structures and resources.
INITIATIVE GOALS
01
Raise $3.5M from a mix of institutions, municipalities, and individuals, that allows One South the best opportunity to achieve its desired outcomes.
02
Foster and maintain awareness of the One South initiative among at least 20% of adult community members within the target geography. Achieve this visibility by the end of each 12-month period the initiative is supported.
03
Vision into solutions and garner at least 70% support from each organization’s board and staff members for any potential structural change that seeks to achieve our Big Idea!
SHARED FUNDRAISING
Select staff and (or) contract resources to obtain shared fundraising goals that support existing operations, programs, or events.
COLLABORATIVE STRUCTURE
Identify and consider at least two possible collaborative operating structures that are likely to increase efficiency, effectiveness, and sustainability of neighborhood organization work.
UTILIZE COMMUNITY INSIGHTS
Capture and utilize insights from community to guide decisions among One South organizations’ board and staff in their consideration of more collaborative operating structures.
PARTICIPATING ORGANIZATIONS
KEY DATES
Circa 2012
An informal group of executive and lead staff members from some South Minneapolis neighborhood organizations began meeting monthly to share updates and align on best practices within their respective work of community building. This group was known as the Southside United Neighborhoods (SUN).
September 2022
SUN group began discussing additional opportunities for collaboration.
December 2022
Documented initial framework regarding the goals and investment needed for One South.
January 2023
SUN organizations’ staff began to capture input from board members on One South framework.
February 2023
Finalized One South framework, which included goals and desired outcomes.
April – June 2023
Obtained formal support for One South from among the organization board of directors.
June 2023
Began pursuing funding support for One South initiative
August – October 2023
Confirmed dedicated funding support for One South initiative from John & Denise Graves Foundation & U.S. Bank Foundation.
December 2024 – January 2024
Conducted interviews for first shared Development Manager in support of One South
March 2024
Due to a change in executive leadership within the Longfellow Community Council, which was slated to have oversight of the shared development staff, the shared Development Manager position was placed on hold.
April – October 2024
Progress against One South initiative slowed because of leadership transitions within three of the One South organizations.
SUN Revised workplan and the funding goal for the One South initiative.
November 2024
PPNA (a SUN member org) dedicated the 5th Annual Southside Summit to the public kick-off of the One South initiative. This kick-off included 130 community leaders who represent other organizations, elected leaders, board members, and residents of One South organizations.
SUN Confirmed dedicated funding support for the One South initiative from Target Corporation.
December 2024
SUN Began promoting details regarding the One South initiative to the public.
ONE SOUTH SUPPORT
Please consider supporting the One South initiative in one of the following ways:
General questions and comments pertaining to the One South initiative can be emailed to the following address: onesouth@ppna.org. Please note that this account is checked each Friday, and SUN will strive to respond within 5 business days from their review of your email.